Subject: [Ottawa_Copts] Press Release
from Council of Coptic Priests in Canada

Sent: Thursday, December 9, 2004 4:27 PM

Dear Friends:

This is an English translation to a
release which was read by our

Coptic priests in our churches in Canada

Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate

Council of Coptic Priests in Canada

Canada, 6 December
2004

Press Release

Beloved Brothers and Sisters,
Congregations of the Coptic Churches in

Canada:

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus
be with you.The fathers the priests and
the Coptic congregations in Canada
express a feeling of alarm concerning what our Coptic brethren in Egypt are
subject to from collective harassments by government organizations, as the
media, Ministry of Interior and others. Such as kidnapping Christian women and
forcing them to convert to Islam, using the policy of generalization, and
preventing the Church from performing her duty by contacting them. We mention
also, the repeated attacks on Christian private businesses and homes, as what
had happened in city of Samalout
and other places in Egypt.
For this:

1.A meeting was convened by the
priests of the provinces of Ontario,
Quebec, East and West of Canada.

2.A letter has been sent to
President Mubarak, signed by all the Coptic priests
in Canada
asking him to intervene and have an end to these plans.

3.Declaration of fasting and prayers
for 3 days in all Coptic Churches in Canada, on December 8, 9, 10, 2004, asking
for God's mercies and His speedy intervention, trusting in the power of fasting
and prayers, to guard His church, for which He promised that the powers of
Hades will never overcome. By the prayers of all the saints, we ask for the
peace of Egypt, remembering
His Divine promise, "Bessed be My people, Egypt",
Amin.